Rear-curtain-operating device



Nov. 1l, 1930.

N. v. KREGER 1,781,646

REAR CURTAIN OPERATING DEVICE Filed May 9, 1929 2 sheets-sheet 1 Nov. 11, 1930.

N. v. KREGER 1,781,646

REAR CURTAIN OPERATING DEVICE Filed May 9, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .ibm I\/ 2g Inventor Attorney Patented Nov. l1, 1930 NORMAN vl K12-nenn, 'orf BEN-"avon, rENNsYrvANIn Y l REAR-CURTMN-ornn-ATING D vion E Application filed May 9 at night.

It is a well established factthat when headlights from a machineinthe rear are projected through the rearv window and against the windshield and'rear view mirror.l uncontrollable `reflections are produced, which interfere with safe driving. It is therefore advantageous under certain conditions to lower the rear curtain to avoid this nuisance. e.

I am aware of the fact that devices have been provided for accomplishing this result, without requiring the operator reaching over the front seat and lowering the curtain manually. In other words, I am aware vof the fact that Vso-called automatic' devices have been patented for accomplishing this result. The present invention relates to an improved means for accomplishing the result by way ofa valved suciion line,l connected with the intake manifold at one end and with a piston device at the opposite end, the cylinder piston device having an operating connection with the spring wound rear curtain.

In carrying out the invention I have evolved and produced a novel structural arrangementwhich is characterized by an un- .usually simplified organization of' parts which are lntimately associated for accom` plishing the desiredresult in an eliicient manner. The particular details and their specific association and arrangement will become more rreadily apparent vfrom the following descrip ion and drawings. i

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a5 diagrammatic elevational view showing the complete suction systemV and operating means for the rear curtain as constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 i-s a fragmentary detail View, in

section and elevation, showing the suction line connected with the intake manifold.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional yview 1929.@Serial11117361348.` f Y through the ypiston fand a cylinder constructionwhich is associated'directly with the rear curtain. l c

- Figurel d, is a detail section andelevation ofthe ,manually manipulated. .control valve arranged on Ithe* instrument board., withiny con# venient'reach,ofthe driver.. i i

Figure 5A` is` .a fragmentary detail eleva.- tionalview of the revised curtain.` f

Figure 6 is an, end view ofFigure, lookf ing inthedirection from left. to right.

AReferring first 'to Figure "l, wherein'v thev complete arrangement is seen, it willbe observed that thek reference character.A 7 desigf nates the bodyof zhelvehicle and Sdesgnates the-rear. window. The reference Acharacter designates generally the rear curtain.v The motor vis designated `by the reference charac ter 10 and the instrument ,board bythe yreference character 11.l r'Ihe'reference character 12 designatesv theintake manifold,withr which this appliance is associated. In, ac-4 cordance with the present inventiona Inanually manipulated control valve generaliVY designated at: v13.- is mountedl on, .thfe instru mentboard. e .This particular..detailfis seen particularly in Figuret. Reference being hadto, thisgurc, it will beobserved that'itA comprises a cylinder ory casing1t,;equipped with an elbow 15. Theprojectingendpor- Ytion ofthe elbow provides anipple connection for vthe rubber tubeA 16,?whicli leads' to and isoperatively connected with the intake manifold. j

The inner end portion `of thisY elbow 4is flared as` designated at 17 vto provide a conical valve seat ,andtlil pointed end ofthe needle valve 18 is `adapted to seat thereon. LThe needle valvelS :is `threaded through the end. of the'c'ylinderor casing 18 whichis opposed to the seat 17 and its outer, end is provided with suitable .meansvto be V.,rripped by the operator for screwin said valve toward or away from said seat.'y On thebottom of thecasing isa nipple 19, with which the suction delivery pipe 19 is connected; f

Referring nowto Figure 2, itwillbe seen that'2() designates a cap plug or fitting carrying a tubeconnecti'on 21, with which the hose 16 is connected. This hose, as above stated, is in turn connected with the projecting end portion of the elbow 15, thereby rendering the suction subject to the action oi the valve 18. Y Y

The pipe 19 extends rearwardly `in any suitable niannenwherelt is connected with the curtain actuating means. vThis is seen Vbetter in Figure 3. It comprises a vertical cylinder 22, in which a `piston 23 1s mounted for sliding movement. `Connected with this piston is a cord'or similar flexible element f 24 which is in turn operatively connected it is desiredfto Vlowertlie curtain, the valve' with the flexible portion of the rear curtain y9p. Incidentally it is necessary to revise the curtain structure slightly. For instance, the spring drum of this curtain is ordinarily provided with a pawl 25 `(see Figure 6) which is engageable with'v a ratchet tooth on the head 2G. In accordance with the Vpresent in-y is simply opened, thereby permitting suction to pass through the tubes or pipes 16 or 19 .and toV act upon the piston in the cylinder 22. This in turn acts upon the cord and pulls t-he curtain down. Vhen, however, the suction is released, 'the spring returns the curtain to raised position.

It is thought kthat vby considering the de-v scription in connection with. the drawings, a

clear understanding of the construction, fea-` tures and operation of the invention will be had. Therefore a more lengthly description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details may be resorted to in actual practice so long as no departure is made from the adjoining claims.

,1. In a suction operated device for actuating automobile curtains comprising a controlvalve including an elongated casing, a tubular elbow, an arm on thepelbow projecting through the side wall of the casing, the other arm of the elbow disposed longitudinally in the casing, end of the longitudinal arm, and a manually operable valve threaded through one end wall of thecylinder and engageable Awith the valve seat.

2. In a suction operated device for actuating automobile curtainscomprising a control valve including a cylindrical casing, a tubu'lai` elbow, one arin of the elbow proserves to return the curtainvto Thus, it isobvious that jecting through an intermediate portion of the side wallet the casing in a manner to mount the elbow on the casing, the other arm of the elbow disposed longitudinally and centrally in t-he casing and having a flared free end portion constituting a valve seat disposed in spaced opposed relation to one of the end walls of the casing, -a manually operable valve threaded through said one end Vwall and engageable on the seat, a nipple projecting from the casing for connecting a suc- `tion pipe to saidcasing, the projecting end portion of the lirst named arm of the elbow constituting coupling means for another suction pipe. v

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

i NORMAN V. KREGER.

a valve seat on the free llO 

